Lydon Hodges Bursary

Are you considering a postgraduate research future?

With annual awards of up to £2,000 and open to prospective research students from all disciplines, the Lydon Hodges Bursary could support you as you start out on your postgraduate research journey.

When Mrs Nan Powell Hodges, an American from Seattle, Washington decided to establish the Lydon Hodges Fund, she committed to being the founding donor for annual bursaries to scholars starting out on their postgraduate research journey. Mrs Hodges continues: "I was so moved and impressed by the accomplishments of the students at a graduation ceremony I attended at the University of South Wales, I wanted to make a contribution. Knowing how hard it is to secure funds for postgraduate study and research, I decided in consultation with USW to start an annual postgraduate bursary fund and to urge other friends to contribute." 

The founding gift generously given by Mrs Powell Hodges is in tribute to her late husband - eminent academic and healthcare professional Dr Robert Manley Hodges - and also in honour of the first female Vice Chancellor of the University of South Wales, Professor Dame Julie Lydon

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible, you will need to meet all of the criteria below:

Applied for a full or part time postgraduate research course in the 2022-23 academic, inclusive of:

•           DBA

•           DPsych

•           Masters by Research

•           MPhil

•           PhD

Be accepted on to a USW postgraduate research course, with entry being in the current forward academic year (e.g 2022-23)

Graduated from the University of South Wales with a 2:1 or above in your undergraduate degree or successfully completed/due to complete a University of South Wales taught Postgraduate Course.

Be a UK resident. Note this is not a limitation by nationality, only residence and as such, applicants should hold a UK postal address at the time of applying to the course.

Be entirely self-funding your course.

HOW MUCH IS THE BURSARY WORTH?

£6,000 per year is awarded to postgraduate research students, with individual bursaries being typically £2,000 each. Individual sums awarded are at the discretion of panel members, although would be no less than £1,000.

The Bursary amount is for the student to do with as they feel most appropriate – be this subsidising research or work experience, contributing to offsetting study fees or contributing towards subsistence during the course of their studies.

HOW AND WHEN CAN I APPLY?

The application process is now closed

Applicants must submit a short summary of approximately 500 words outlining why they feel entry to a postgraduate research course will be beneficial to them – personally or professionally, and how they will be approaching their studies.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM SUCCESSFUL?

Bursary allocation is decided by a panel made up of no less than three people. The panel considers all applications made online and panel membership will include representation from the University’s Engagement and Enterprise directorate, the Graduate Research Office and Academic body.

Emphasis for the panel is to prioritise applicants who demonstrate how postgraduate research studies are a personal or professional enabler. Societal impact of research is not necessarily a driver for Bursary distribution given the ever changing landscape of research and society, and the long range nature of completing research studies.

REQUIREMENTS OF BURSARY RECIPIENTS.

A short report demonstrating the impact of the amount granted would be required no later than 12 months after the Bursary is granted. This would support raising awareness of the Fund and would be managed by the Alumni Engagement & Development Team.